CLARA MARIE POPE A Monograph on the Genus Camillia

R O Y A L K E W G A R D E N S E D I T I O N

HISTORY

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TITLE Title Sheet 24x18 Upon request 1 Single White, Single Red Camellia 24x18 $900 2 Double White, Double-striped Camellia 24x18 $600

3 Pompone or Kew Blush, Double-red Camellia 24x18 $600 4 Anemone-flowered Rose-colored Camellia 24x18 $600

5 Myrtle-leaved Camellia 24x18 $900

Clara Pope defined her role in the history of botanical art with her most impressive work on the camellia flower. Her final collection of five hand-colored engravings is considered the finest of all great camellia books. Born in England in 1768, Clara grew up with an innate passion for art. As a young adult she worked as a model while continuing to develop as a painter. She went on to marry artist Francis Wheatley, whom she met while working for him. Clara continued to pursue her art even after marrying and by the time she turned twenty-eight years old was exhibiting "miniatures" at the Royal Academy. Only five years later – at the young age of thirty-three – Clara became a widow left raise her three daughters alone. As difficult as this time was for her she never gave up on her art. Clara did go on to marry again, this time to Alexander Pope, a renowned poet and actor of that time.

Clara Pope’s reputation as an artist was first established through painting portraits for English aristocracy. Eventually Samuel Curtis, the well-known editor of Curtis’ Botanical Magazine, discovered her. Curtis commissioned Clara to illustrate botanical art for his book “Monograph on the Family Camellia” which was published in 1819.

Clara’s original work has been preserved in exceptional condition at the Royal Kew Garden library. This limited edition, exclusively issued by Royal Kew Gardens, perfectly captures Pope’s rare and remarkable original engravings. Every subtle detail and beautifully vivid hue from Ms. Pope's actual work has been precisely reproduced in this once in a lifetime museum-issued collection.

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